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Perfect Homemade Beef Cannelloni

A beloved Italian dish with tender pasta tubes filled with a scrumptious beef mixture and topped with rich marinara and creamy béchamel.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Baking Dish

Ingredients
  

Beef Filling

  • 1 pound Ground Beef Fresh and of good quality for best flavor.
  • 1 medium Onion, finely chopped Adds sweet and savory depth.
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced Provides robust flavor.

Marinara Sauce

  • 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes For rich marinara sauce.

Béchamel Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Butter For making béchamel.
  • 2 tablespoons Flour To thicken the béchamel.
  • 2 cups Milk For creamy béchamel sauce.

Cheese

  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese For mixing into béchamel and topping.

Garnish

  • 1 handful Fresh Basil, chopped For garnish.

Pasta

  • 12-15 sheets Lasagna Sheets Cooked according to package instructions.

Seasoning

  • Salt and Pepper To taste.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion in olive oil until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
  • Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up and cooking until browned, about 8–10 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat, then whisk in flour to form a roux.
  • Gradually add milk while whisking to avoid lumps, then cook until thickened, about 5–7 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  • Mix the cooked beef filling with a portion of the marinara sauce to moisten it.
  • Assemble the cannelloni by filling lasagna sheets with the beef mixture and rolling them up.
  • Place the rolled cannelloni seam-side down in a baking dish and cover with remaining marinara sauce.
  • Pour the béchamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Let sit for 10 minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

For variations, consider using ground turkey, adding vegetables, or experimenting with different cheeses.
Keyword Comfort Food, Easy